Linda Cracknell is a writer of short fiction, with one collection 'Life Drawing', published in 2000 and a second 'The Searching Glance' in 2008. She also writes radio drama and non-fiction with a focus on landscape and walking. She has been writer in residence at Brownsbank Cottage, last home to the poet Hugh MacDiarmid, just outside Biggar in southern Scotland and also works in schools in various capacities. She is also interested in writing and nature/environmental education.

For up to date information please see: http://lccv.blogspot.com/

Awards:

1998 Life Drawing - winner of Macallan/Scotland on Sunday short story competition

1999 Mothers Boy - shortlisted for Macallan/Scotland on Sunday short story competition

2001 Life Drawing (short story collection) shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Award

Record of Publications:

BBC Scotland 8/98 Life Drawing Short story broadcast on Storylines

BBC Radio 4 1/99 The Fall Short story broadcast on The Late Book

11:9 (Neil Wilson Publishing) 2000 Life Drawing Short story collection (sole author of which a number of stories previously published in magazines and anthologies).

Polygon 2001 Damage Land: New Scottish Gothic Fiction (anthology) Kiss of Life (story)

British Council, Brussels 2001 Identity Papers: Cross-cultural writing from the UK (anthology) Interview with a Dominican Cat (story)

Freight November 2002 The Hope that Kills Us Scottish Football anthology The Match (story)

BBC Radio 4 February 2003 Face Value Afternoon Play

Hanging Loose Press, New York Spring 2003 Word Jig New Writing from Scotland Beneath the Coat Pile (story)

BBC Radio Scotland May 2003 Smiles, Coconuts and cha-cha-cha Fifteen minute script written and read for a Sunday morning series, Expectations.

BBC Radio Four Sept 2003 The smell of growth Afternoon short story, part of Tartan Noir series

Scottish Natural Heritage Sept 2003 Wee green fingers fun pack Series of 8 postcard poems for pre-school children about mini-beasts, as part of an environmental education pack.

Brownsbank Press November 2003 Stepping into the Avalanche anthology Two short stories included: The Smell of Growth Beneath the Coat Pile

Current work:

In 2001 I received a Scottish Arts Council Bursary to start work on a novel. Continued work on this is currently my main focus.

Writing residences:

11/2002 ? current time

Brownsbank Cottage ? last home to poet Hugh MacDiarmid

Writer in residence

Responsible for encouraging creative writing in South Lanarkshire, including running workshops, organising visiting writers, supporting writing groups and giving feedback to individuals.

August 2003

SpeyGrian project

Resident creative writer on west coast Scotland journey under sail for environmental educators, to explore creativity, place and environmental values.